1. Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8 and Windows 10

1. In Windows Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8, the primary consideration is the digital functionalities of your sound card that should be deactivated for recording and playback. The volume level should be set to 70% for the recording. All the sound effects have to be disabled (even Surround or Dolby or any effect) and the recording format should be set to 16 Bits stereo, 44100hz (CD quality).

Note: For more information please refer to the manual that corresponds with your operating system

2. In Windows Vista/7/8, it is recommended to always plug in the headset before starting the computer.

3. Check Playback and Recording settings.

This may be surprising, but it is important to also check the volume settings in playback as well as in recording even if the problem was only noticed with the speech recognition.

The first thing is to define which device you will use for speech recognition activities. This could be a headset, a USB headset or your computer’s internal microphone.

The goal is to verify that this device is used as the computer's default device and that no other device is playing or recording sound at the same time.

Note: a smartphone headset is not guaranteed to function on your computer. If the jack plug does not have at least 3 rings, it won’t be able to record and play at the same time.

This device must also be selected in the Rosetta Stone® Advantage settings.

Important note: The screenshots below may vary according to the sound card and its device manager. However the technique is roughly the same.

Adjusting playback settings

1. Right click the speaker volume icon located in lower right hand corner of your computer screen and select «Playback devices”.

2. Just double-click on the default device represented by a white tick in a green circle to access its properties

3. The number of tabs varies according to your sound card. Make sure that the sound is not muted and that the level is sufficient, disable all sound effects and only select the sample output “16 Bits, 44100Hz (CD Quality)".

If the options related to «Digital»; Dolby or “Sound effects” are active in other tabs, disable them.Adjust the levels as in the right picture below:

4. Adjust the « Enhancements » tab to match the picture below:Please uncheck all of the effects before activating “Disable all enhancements” option.

Adjusting Recording settings

1. At the bottom right corner, right-click onto the loudspeaker icon and select the menu “Recording devices”.

2. The number of tabs varies according to your sound card. Generally, just check that only one appears and that it is the appropriate recording device, that the level is set to 70%, to disable all sound effects and to only select, if possible, the sample rate input “16 Bits, 44100Hz (CD Quality).If need be, disable all other effects in the other tabs, uncheck everything related to “Digital”; “Sound effects” or “Dolby”.

3. Just double-click on the default device represented by a white tick in a green circle to access the properties:

4. If you need to change the default device, right-click on the device you wish to use and click on “Define as the default device”.

Important: Speak into the microphone to check that it is recording. You should notice the green squares at the right end of the line are moving.

5. Two recording devices should not record at the same time. If needed, right-click on the device you don’t wish to use and then check the options “Display Disabled Devices” and “Display Disconnected Devices”. Then right-click on the device not to be used and left-click on « Disable ».

6. To check the properties of the default device, double-click on it.7. Adjust the « Levels » tab as in the picture below: the volume should be set to 70%. If a microphone boost level appears, set it to +20 dB if possible.

8. Adjust the « Enhancements » tab (if available) as in the picture below: please uncheck the sound effects one by one before activating the option “Disable all enhancements”.

9. Adjust the « Advanced » tab as in the picture below: you must only select CD quality if possible – 16 bits, 44100Hz (CD Quality).

2. Windows XP

Important! Please note that the following set of instructions may be different for some users due to their audio software/hardware manufacturer and their OS version. Also we recommend you not to use DIGITAL devices – If you can change, use and select another device. About all settings below, if you see “Digital” boxes, uncheck boxes.

Opening the audio settings

1. Click on the Start button and continue to the Control Panel section of the Start menu:

2. Control Panel Window will appear. In the Control Panel window find Sounds and Audio Devices. If you see it, double-click on the line or double-click on Sounds and Audio Devices section, click on it:

3. In the Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices window find the Sounds and Audio Devices section, click on it.

Adjusting Playback options

1. Click on the Audio section tab (top line of buttons) and then on the Volume button below the drop down menu.

2. Find the “Options” menu button, click on it and then select “Properties”.

3. Select “Playback”, find “Show the following volume controls:” section and check in all the unchecked boxes.

4. Click the OK button.5. Make sure that Microphone volume controllers for playback are muted in the Volume Control panel.All the other volume controllers should be unmuted. Open the Options menu, click on Exit section.

Adjusting Recording settings

1. Find the “Sound recording” section of the Sounds and Audio Devices panel. Click on the Volume button.

2. Click on “Properties” section of the “Options” menu.

3. Select “Recording”, find “Show the following volume controls section” and check in all the unchecked boxes

4. Click the OK button5. Make sure that “Microphone” volume controllers are checked in the “Recording Control” panel. Find the “Options” menu, click on it and Select. Check if the Advanced Controls section is checked in, if not check it in.

6. Find the Advanced button under the Microphone volume controller, click on it.

7. Find the Other Controls section. Microphone Boost must be checked off. Click the Close button.

8. In the Recording Control panel find the Options menu button, click on it, click on Exit section.

If you are still having problems with the Microphone, then check the following possibilities:

1. Click on the Start button.2. Continue to the Programs section of the Start menu.3. Continue to the Accessories section of the Programs menu.4. Continue to the Entertainment section of the Accessories menu.5. Click on the Sound Recorder item.6. The Sound Recorder panel will appear.7. Try to record your speech though the microphone you use.8. Play it back.

If you can't hear your recording, go to the Sounds and Audio section of the Control Panel and play with the microphone settings till the recording test works for you.

3. Mac OS X

The first step is to verify that Audio is working correctly on you Mac System.1. Open the System Preferences window and select “Sounds”.

TIP: You can do this in at least three different ways:Choose Apple→System Preferences.Open the System Preferences icon in your Applications folder.Click the System Preferences icon on your Dock.